Option B Portability Feature Ending
A three-year pilot program of allowing Federal Employees Group Life Insurance “option B” coverage to be portable on separation has …More
Fedweek
Sign up Now! Free eNewslettersEmployees Stay for the Benefits
Of federal employees not planning to look for another job in the coming year 91 percent cited their benefits as …More
Agencies Still Using Long-Term Temps
The government has been criticized for years for making extensive use of employees designated temporary for long periods of times. …More
Policy on MSPB Training-Related Complaints Issued
The Merit Systems Protection Board has issued procedures for federal employees to follow when alleging discrimination and/or retaliation for having …More
Anti-Bias Bill Sent to White House
Congress has sent to the White House for an expected presidential signature legislation (HR-169) designed to hold agencies more accountable …More
Acquisition Work Force Reforms Still a Work in Progress
Meanwhile, the General Accounting Office has said that DoD still has considerable work ahead in reforming its acquisition work force …More
Faster Action on Work Force Test Urged
The House DoD authorization bill also would require the agency to develop an implementation plan by next February for improving …More
Contracting, Other Issues Addressed
While the DoD authorization bill affects only employees of that agency, DoD continues to account for about half of the …More
Parity’ Raise Figure Advances
The House has passed legislation (HR-4546) setting the military-federal employee “parity” figure for the January 2003 raise at 4.1 percent. …More
Applications Will Be Accepted Outside Open Seasons
OPM has said that those eligible for the FLTCIP program will be allowed to join after the upcoming open season, …More
One LTC Enrollment Period Ends, Another Coming
The early enrollment period for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program ends today (May 15) but the formal open …More
Special Rates Case Remains in Waiting Mode
Although a settlement was announced earlier this year in the long-running “special rate” pay suit, it still could be a …More
FEHB Election Effective Dates to Remain the Same
The Office of Personnel Management has told agencies that contrary to its earlier indications, the effective date of employee elections …More
New TSP Features Ahead
The TSP, which has had contractors working on upgrading its computer systems for several years, is expected to announce in …More
Stock Funds Drop Again
Two of the three TSP stock-related funds suffered down months in April, with the large company common stock (C) fund …More
TSP Open Season Coming Up
One of the Thrift Savings Plan’s twice-yearly open seasons will begin May 15 and run through July 31, offering federal …More
No Guarantees Against Future Rate Increases
Another concern being expressed by potential enrollees in the FLTCIP is the potential for increased premiums at the end of …More
LTC Coverage Can Be Decreased
Enrollees in the new Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program will be allowed to request a decrease in their coverage …More
LTC Early Enrollment Period Wrapping Up
The special early enrollment period for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program ends May 15, although the regular open …More
OPM’s View on Pay Gap
The pay gap issue has been controversial since the 1990 reform law was enacted. The Clinton administration in its early …More
Pay Gap Called Prime Reform Issue
In the wake of an Office of Personnel Management “white paper” on the federal pay system, federal employee organizations and …More
Unions Oppose Idea
Of the four panel members dissenting from the idea, two were the heads of federal unions — Bobby Harnage of …More
New Approach to Contracting-Out Proposed
A commission examining the government’s process of considering federal jobs for private sector performance has issued a divided final report, …More
Checking on LTC Eligibility
There has been some confusion in federal agencies regarding which employees are eligible to enroll in the FLTCIP. The Office …More
Soon-to-Be Retirees Should Take Care
Since both active employees and retirees are eligible for the program, someone who gets caught in the timing trap still …More
Special Considerations in LTC Enrollment
Those interested in the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program-the early enrollment period runs through May 15 and the formal …More
Potential Cost Is Main Barrier
Active employees became eligible for the premium conversion arrangement in 2000; however, retirees were excluded because of a provision in …More
Premium Break Proposal for Retirees Gains Strength
A House bill (HR-2125) to make federal retirees eligible for the “premium conversion” arrangement that allows active employees to pay …More
4.1 Percent Raise Marker Advances
A House Armed Services subcommittee has voted to set the January 2003 military raise at 4.1 percent, effectively setting a …More
Personnel Reforms Also Proposed
Morella’s bill, dubbed the “Good People, Good Government” act, also seeks to address the government’s “human capital crisis.” It would: …More
